‘MPs back new laws on vice’. 20th December, 1966, p.1

Labour MP Mr. Leo Abse’s Sexual Offences Bill was given an unopposed second reading in the Commons last night. The Bill would legalise homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. An amendment moved by Mr. Simon Mahon (Labour, Bootle) declining to give the Bill a second reading because it did not provide the exemption and protection to the Merchant Navy now provided to the Services, was defeated without a division. Home Secretary Mr. Roy Jenkins, winding up the debate, had said: “Should the House decide to give the Bill a second reading, we shall be ready to give such drafting assistance as we can during the remaining stages, for example, on questions affecting the Shipping Industry.”